"Next 48 hours will be decisive for the SLFP" - Thilanga Sumathipala

COLOMBO (News 1st): - A meeting between the Presidential candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Permauna Gotabaya Rajapaksa and President Maithripala Sirisena was held at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (September 28). According to our reporters, the meeting commenced at around 12:15 pm and went on for 45 minutes. It was reported that Leader of the Podujana Permuna Mahinda Rajapaksa and National Organizer of the party Basil Rajapaksa had also joined this meeting along with Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Prior to this discussion, a meeting between President Maithripala Sirisena and SLFP MPs took place last night (September 27) at the President's official residence in Colombo. Following this meeting, UPFA MP Thilanga Sumathipala speaking to the media said that they believe the Central Working Committee will discuss the matter and reach a final decision on Monday (30th). He further said that the SLFP has only conducted discussions with the SLPP and not with the other parties because of which they decided to hold discussions with other parties as well. He added that due to this reason that prior to discussions with the central working committee, that they plan to hold discussions with other political parties over the weekend. Thus the discussion followed; Journalist: Either you must contest independently, or form an alliance with the Podu Jana Eksath Peramuna. There are only two options. To this, Sumathipala responded that a decision will only be reached on Monday (30th) after discussions with other political parties. Journalist: Have you withdrawn from discussions with the SLPP? Sumathipala: No-no-no. There is no such situation. In fact, we are in the final stage of discussions. Journalist: Is the symbol, or else the flower bud, the main drawback to join the SLPP? Sumathipala: Do not be locked into a symbol. We are currently a part of a symbolic and policy-driven journey. Journalist: Will the president contest once again? Sumathipala: We have another 48 hours to discuss these matters. Journalist: Which means the next 48 hours is decisive for the SLFP? Sumathipala: Definitely. Politics in this country is decisive. Our central working committee will reach a final decision on Monday. We will meet on Sunday and announce our decision. As per the decision taken by the group of MPs, President Maithripala Sirisena met with representatives of the SLPP this morning, at the President's official residence. It was reported that several parliamentarians including Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Dinesh Gunewardena, Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, D.E.W Gunesekara and Tissa Vitharana attended the meeting. A representative of the SLPP who attended the meeting said, the importance and necessity for the SLFP and the SLPP to face the upcoming elections together, was highlighted during the meeting. Before holding discussions with President Maithripala Sirisena, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Mahinda Rajapaksa attended the National Farmers summit of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. The summit was held at the Sri Lanka Exhibition & Convention Centre parallel to the National Conference of Agricultural Research and Production Assistant Officers. Party Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa initially attended the event. Thereafter Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa attended the event. SLPP candidate said that when the government fails to give priority for agriculture that various issues arise in the sector. He assured the people that they will introduce a national policy for the agricultural sector and that the main reason for the second and third-generation farmers to distance themselves from agriculture is because for generations they've observed how the farmers suffer due to poverty. He says that they should provide solutions for these issues and that with their government they've got a vision on how to modernize the agricultural sector and utilize modern technology. He added that all this is done with the underlying motive of uplifting the income of families depending on agriculture and that the main policy of their government will be to protect the farming community. Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the event following his speech and Mahinda Rajapaksa addressed the gathering. SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa who took to address the people next too left the premises in a rush stating that they all have to participate in the party gathering scheduled for later in the evening.